While Deng Shiyang was racking his brains for the training program, Jansen in Durban was also busy beyond measure.

Binoculars, walkie-talkies, GPS units, infrared flashlights, and other equipment were not hard to find—most larger outdoor gear stores carried them. Flare guns and magnesium flares could be found in nautical equipment stores, while scopes were ordered from the United States as hunting supplies, imported via a customs broker acquainted with Du Preez.

However, acquiring night vision devices proved challenging. Although in that age, even some CCTV cameras came with night vision features, and many outdoor enthusiasts liked to bring a night vision monocular for camping, in reality, few countries produced military-grade night vision equipment. Products using Generation 2.5 or higher image intensifier tubes were subject to strict export controls. Moreover, South Africa was not a manufacturing country, so its military equipment largely relied on imports. Even large defense contractors like Denel used Carl Zeiss scopes. Trying to buy military-grade night vision goggles on the civilian market was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Compared to Jansen's difficulties, Du Preez's task of forming the mortar team went much more smoothly.

Due to the restrictions imposed by South African government legislation, many private military companies were forced to shut down or relocate abroad, including several intermediary agencies familiar to Du Preez. Nonetheless, his connections with these companies remained intact. He contacted a Dutch company called "Saracen International" by email, hoping to hire six South African mercenaries skilled in operating 81mm mortars.

According to the plan, the members of the mortar team would disguise themselves as smugglers, traveling in two vehicles to cross into Eswatini from Bulembo, hiding night vision equipment and communication devices in secret compartments in the vehicles. To minimize personnel, Deng Shiyang and Keith decided to reduce the number of members in each mortar team to two, meaning that only two light trucks would be needed to transport everyone at once.

Meanwhile, Mark's work was also nearing completion.

This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

Thanks to his connections in the Belgian shipping industry, the transaction involving the "Kristo" proceeded smoothly. The buyer was a company registered in Luxembourg called "Carl Augusta International Trade Co." It was anyone's guess why someone would establish a shipping company in a landlocked country, but Mark, acting as a second-hand shipbroker, didn't care—FEMAS, eager to sell the ship for cash, certainly didn't feel like digging into any mysteries.

While the lawyers were drafting the sales contract, Ivan Sernechevich had already begun acting as the captain of the ship under the tacit approval of his old employer. He persuaded several sailors to accept severance pay equivalent to two months' wages and leave, while recruiting replacements at the port of Antwerp.

Mark didn’t interfere much in the personnel decisions, as he believed in a quote he had once heard: "You don't need to bribe everyone, just bribe the person who influences the subordinates and let him control the rest." He also trusted that Sernechevich knew exactly whom he needed to hire.

A week passed quickly, and on the afternoon of the contract signing day, a new crew list was handed over to Mark.

"The new first mate is a fellow countryman of mine—a reliable guy," the tall Slav pointed to the first name on the list.

"Are you sure?" Mark looked up, shifting his gaze from the list to Ivan's face.

"Yes." Sernechevich glanced around and then lowered his voice. "He's Serbian, served in the Yugoslav People's Army, and was a sergeant under Ratko Mladić. After the Bosnian War, he fled the country and hasn’t dared return since. That should tell you enough."

Mark nodded and asked, "Who else knows about this?"

"Just the two of us." Ivan added, "The guy's papers might be an issue, so this job is important to him. The others are love money—they’re tight-lipped and the kind who don’t ask questions, just follow orders."

"Good job," Mark praised.

The tall Slav flashed a hint of pride. He looked at Mark and said, "The fuel, food, and other supplies are being procured and should be ready within the next two days. When are we setting sail?"

"That's up to the boss, but I estimate it’ll be in the next few days." Mark quickly scanned the list, then said, "Inform the crew beforehand to prevent any slip-ups. The day before departure, I'll give you the crew’s monthly wages, and you'll handle the distribution."

"I'll take care of it. By then, they'll be itching to set sail," Ivan responded with a smile.

"That's all for now. Go back and continue preparing," Mark said, glancing at his watch and standing up to leave.

As they parted at the tavern door, Mark reminded him, "We’ve wasted too much time buying the ship. You must sail to the Natal Basin within twenty days. Once the port entry application is complete, I'll notify you of which port to proceed to."